The Billboard 1916-06-03: Vol 28 Iss 23 (1916-06-03)

SE AE SET TE A EER SIRE STIR Te ae ES L, mane The Billboard JUNE 3, 1916. STOCK AND REPERTORY ED NUTT PLAYERS IN SEVERE STORM Quality of Tent and Equipment Prevented Injury—Presence of Mind and Nerve Averted Panic Ft. Smith, Ark., May 26.—The Ed ©. Nutt Comedy Players (Southern), after playing one of their most successful weeks of the entire season here, last Saturday night encountered one of the worst storms that ever tried to wreak its vengeance on a tent show. After it was all over Mr. Nutt was receiving congratulations upon his good judgment in selecting a top that successfully withstood the fury of the storm—and maybe he was also congratulating himself a little. The rain and hail fell in torrents for an hour and fifteen minutes, beginning suddenly just after the curtain had gone up on the second act. The many people under the canvas proved themselves game, as they evidently had confidence in the quality of the tent and other equipment, and after the storm they stayed for the balance of the show. During the storm the orchestra entertained in opposition to the machine-gun patter of the big hail stones and shrieking wind. A great responsibility was placed on the performers when the storm broke, as the endden shock almost caused a panic. The players stuck to their lines, however, and aided in saving the day. This was part of the storm that destroyed lives and property in both Texas and Oklahoma. The Nutt Company has certainly made a hit with the people of Ft. Smith, remaining over this week in response to numerous requests. The Concert Band has been a special feature in helping local enterprises, contributing services for several events. The Nutt Show is the first tented dramatic organization ever in Ft. Smith, and a return engagement in the future is sure to be successful. FOX POPULAR PLAYERS Move From Hamlin to Cisco Cisco, Tex., May 26.—After two weeks of very successful business at Hamlin the Roy EB, Fox Popular players moved their tent theater to Cisco, opening here last Monday to a packed house. Several were obliged to stand up to see the performance, as the tent was not large enough to hold the crowd. The people liked the bill fine, and since the change in the cast the players seem to be putting more energy and life into the parts. Each one on the show is trying to outdo himself or herself, and the company is improving every day as the result. Indications are that the engagement will be very successful. The Fox Players move to Baird next Sunday. MELVILLE IN MISSOURI The Melville Comedians, No. 1, playing under canvas with Bert Melville as manager, showed in De Soto, Mo., week of May 22 to very good business. This company is without a doubt one of the strongest repertoire companies ever in that section of the country. The roster is: Bert Melvillee owner and manager; Jack Vinson, Irene DeArmond, Lillian DeArmond, Chaddick Ruhl, Jas. Walker, Bruce Miller, Nettie Davenport, Mrs. De Armond, Edith Lee, Mrs, Harris, Mrs, Potter, Baby Helen Harris and Dorothy Vinson, mascot. C. A. Bell is advance representative. The band and orchestra are under the able direction of Eddie Moore, and ineludes Bert Melville, Gus Miller, Bruce Miller, Jack Vinson, Bert Potter, James Walker, Joe Jacobs, Jack Denmark, CC. Ruhl, Frank Vilin and R. B. Watson. Highclass vaudeville is introduced between acts by the DeArmond Sisters, Jack Vinson, Bert Melville and Eddie Moore. Special seenery and electrical effects are car Hazel Blair ried for each bill, including The Country Boy, tall of the Wild, Ishmael, The Angel of the Mountains, Thelma, In the Eyes of the World, Kentucky Sue, Fight for Honor, The Revelation, Broken Hearts, Indian Romance, The Arizona Girl, Steve’s Pal, Easy Money and Little Red Riding Hood. KEYES CHANGES THEATERS Lima, 0., May 27.—After a very successful run at the Orpheum Theater, covering several weeks, the Chet Keyes Stock Company will close the Orpheum engagement tonight, and will move to Ft. Wayne, Ind., to open an indefinite engagement at the Temple Theater on next Monday. For this week the Chet Keyes Company presented Captain Clay, which proved a revelation to the theatergoers of Lima. The production gave entire satisfaction. Dottie Keyes is back with the company, after an absence of several months. It will be remembered that Miss Keyes was married some time ago, the lucky man being Dick Richardson. Shortly after the marriage Mr. and Mrs. Richardson opened a musical comedy company in Dallas, Tex., but closed it after a run of several weeks. They then came on to join the Chet Keyes Stock Company. GORDINIER BROTHERS OPEN On Thursday, May 11, the Gordonier Brothers’ Stock Company opened their twenty-first season under canvas at Buda, Ill, to a good business. It is said, by one who has wit CHET KEYES bill, The Firefly, which was attended by 12,000 people during the week. The large chorus includes Alberta Brittian, Katherine Taggart, Flo Anchor, Jeanette Rickaby, Isabel Matthews, Marie Mortensen, Kitty Barry, Doris Lobr, Susie Wilke, Violet Laurell, Doris Botsford, Lillian Merrit, Evelyn Rith, Mattie Claywood, Elinor Lavelle, Ainsley Lambert, Albert Hovey, Lester Elliott, Arthur Ballance, Harry Glover, Whit Whittem, Barry Delaney and Al Racklin. SUMMER STOCK IN MARION Marion, O., May 27.—The American Stock Company, under the management of W. M. Anderson, opened a summer stock engagement at the Alhambra Theater here last Thursday. The company is headed by Pearl Hazelton and Eddie Waller, who did excellently in the opening bill, A Pair of Sixes. The company is very evenly balanced, and will no doubt experience a long and successful run at the Alhambra. SCENIC ARTIST CHANGES Boston, May 27.—Louis St. Pierre, scenic artist for the Eva Scott Players at the Broadway Theater, Everett, Mass., has finished his season there, and has opened with Frank Finney at Waldron’s Casino here. BENNER-NIXON SHOWS Make Good Impression in Ohio The Benner-Nixon Shows pulled into Mt. Sterling, 0., May 21, creating much favorable comment upon the appearance of the outfit. The show travels overland in wagons, all of which are well nessed the Gordonier Brothers’ opening for the past five Beasons, that Clyde Gordonier has surrounded himself with some of the best people he has ever had, making the company exceptionally strong and efficient. The performance goes over with a vim and dash that leaves no doubt as to the ability of the company. The official roster of the company is: Clyde H. Gordonier, owner and manager; Frank M. Swan, advance representative; W. H. Gordonier, superintendent of tickets; Bennie Mc Kinzie, boss canvasman, with four assistants; Leon Ray, properties; Emil Krunston, lights; Louis DeLano, comedian; Wil7 liam Crockett, characters; Jas. Butler, heavies; E. J. Sharpsteen, leads; Lloyd L. Connoly, general business and stage manager; Miss Grace Connoly, leads; Lola Radcliff, soubrette, and Silas Tower, characters. The following royalty bills are presented: In Montana, The Great Awakening, By Law of God and Man, Molly Bawn, The Love Germ, The Land of the Sky, The canvas is a fifty, with one thirty and one twenty middles. The stage is 16x24 feet, and the seating capacity of the tent theater is 1,000. Ohio, MOULAN IN NEW YORK New York, May 26.—Frank Moulan, the comedian, returned to New York this week, after a long season in musical stock in St. Lonis. He had been absent from Broadway for three montha. OPERA STOCK PLEASES Hartford, Conn., May 27.—Having established their popularity in musical stock the Opera Players opened their second week at Parson's Theater here in A Waltz Dream, with James ‘Hornberger and Lillian Crossman singing the leading roles. Performances this week have been well attended. Florence Webber ie scoring substantially as the dainty leader of the Viennese Ladies’ Orchestra. She likewise sings well. Next week the Opera Players will present The Chocolate Soldier, which will no doubt prove as popular as this week’s bill and the opening Clever comedian with the Keyes Stock Company, which closed a successful engagement at Lima, last Saturday night, Wayne, Ind., Monday, for an indefinite stay. painted and of excellent design. The top is a 60-ft. round top, with a 40-ft. middie. The scenery is bright and good, the stage is strictly up to date, a firstclass lighting system is used and the reserved seats and bines are good and well put up. When the outfit is up and ready for business it presents a most faverable appearance. The roster is: Chas. W. Benner and Carl L. Nixon, owners and managers; Kathryn Benner, Gus sie Sands, Virginia McAdams, Carl Nix on, Steve Berrian and Thomas Wise, leads. The balance of the company is good and well balanced, and worke in perfect harmony. Mr. Penner is also well known for his Peck’'s Bad Boy company, with which he plays opera houses in the winter season, Formerly in the circus end of the game he is now devoting his entire time to the dramatic. A notable event took place on the show recently when Ada Moyes (Virginia McAdams) was married to Herman E. Jeanson. The wedding took place in Columbus, 0., at the home of the bride. Mrs. Jeanson will remain with the show until the end of the season, after which she will join her husband in Superior, Wis. Charley (Rube) Fulkenson has joined the company as comedian, and is well satisfied. and opened at Ft. ROY FARMER BECOMES ILL Roy Farmer, who has been doing excellent work a8 advance representative for the Roy ©. Fox Popular Players in Texas, was forced to leave the show last week for his home in Brownwood, Texas. He became ill of a severe liver attack and malaria fever, and his physician mivised bim to return home for a rest. WEDDING ON SWAIN SHOW While playing Florence, Ala., Rufos Norman ear boss of the No. 1 W. I. Swain Show, wae married to Miss Iola Lancaster, a nonprofessional, of Florence. This is the fourth marriage that has taken Place in Florence in the last four years where one of the Swain company has married a Florence girl. ef 4 ROY E. FOX B) ROY E. FOX’S POPULAR PLAYERS Fifteen Years Without Closing Per. Address, Box 171, Sulphur Springs, Texas HAZEL FOX SHANNON COMPANY Is Doing Well Through Ohio The Harry Shannon Stock Company, playing through Ohio, is doing an excellent business, although the weather has been very bad for tent shows in this section, The Shannon Show has held up wonderfully well, and consists of an acting company of nine people and a fifteenpiece band. The band is under the direction of Holly Rossmyne, formerly with Al G. Field's and O'Brien's Minstrels, An orchestra of twelve pieces, under the direction ef Charles Gerlach, is another feature of the Shannon Company. The round top is an 80-foot one, with a 40-foot middle, and has a seating capacity of 1,100. The stage is up-to-date and the lighting system is good. All members of the company eat and sleep on the lot in twelve small, but handsomely furnished tents. The floors are sectional, covered with Brussels carpets, and the tents are furnished with dressers, washstands, center tables, etc. This equipment places ‘Tne Shannon Stock Company among the most modern tent theaters in Ohio, Hazel Shannon, leading woman, is an excep tionally clever actress, and makes many friends, owing to her charming personality and splendid acting. Roscoe Van Tuyl, who is playing leads op posite Miss Shannon, is also an actor of re markable ability. All of his parts are handled in a masterly way. Harry Shannon, Jr., is a clever comedian. Helen Russell is a demure little ingenue and shares honors with the principals of the company. The show is under the management and ownership of Harry Shannon, Sr. The complete roster is as follows: Harry Shannon, Sr., manager; Harry Shannon, Jr., Mrs. Harry Shannon, Hazel Shannon, Helen Forest Russell, Queen Rozell, Kate Disney, Katherine Shotsky, Ada Simpson, H. C. Soubler, Harry Young, Holly Rossmyn, Ed Wort, Steve Doreman, Charle< Hickenbury, Charles Gerlick, Fred ©. Stoutenburg, Simon Martucci, Roy L. Bowman, J. FE. O'Brien, Howard Wysong, Roscoe Van Tuyl, Bil! Miller, Walter Chambers, Archie Peterson and Earl W. Holland. WILKS STILL IN TOLEDO Toledo, O., May 27.—Monte Wilks is still with the Orpheum Burlesque Stock Company at the Orpheum Theater bere, and is very popular in the juvenile and light comedy roles, which he handles so well. Wilks is now in his eighteenth week with the Orpheum Company, and will remain for the balance of the summer season. Business is keeping up very well, and the company is one of the most congenial ever put to gether. Manager Carmen is well liked by his people, and considers their comfort and welfare at all times. In addition he is a capable manager. SCORE IN A PAIR OF SIXES Saginaw, Mich., May 27.—Those ever-popular players in stock, W. O. McWatters, Mae Melvin and Leslie P. Webb, continue to attract large audiences to the beautiful Franklin Theater. In view of the fact that the weather bas been anything but favorable this magnetism on their part is noteworthy. Last week they played to near capacity for the week with A Pair of Sixes, and this week are repeating last week's success in The Traveling Salesman. Business is excellent for the James Forbes comedy. As the genial knight of the grip Mr. McWatters is wellnigh perfect, making the part remarkably real. He is getting three and four curtain calls nightly on the strong scenes. Miss Melvin is ideal in her part, and her winning personality finds ample scope in the role. Mr. Webb as Franklin Royce, Mr. Howard as Julius, Mr. Krueger as Watts, and Miss Bowers as Mrs. Babbit ft their part« nicely. MONTROSE PLAYERS Are Successful in Indiana The Montrose Players, who have been appearing at the Century Theater in Mishawaka, Ind., for the past three weeks, have broken all records of the house, it is announced. Manager Singer is very well pleased with the company, and is said to have made the statement that Miss Montrose has one of the best companies ever playing his theater. The company is presenting all highclass tabloid comedies and dramas, carrying its own special ecenery for all bills. Clever vaudeville acts are introduced by Lillian Montrose, Robert Miller, Dutch Walton, Carl, Gladys Montrose and Elsie Burgher. The two last named, called the dancing dolls, are a clever sister team, and always make a big hit with their work, The Montrose Players will remain at the Century until thelr repertoire is completed. STOCK IN HART THEATER Marion, 0., May 26.—It is announced that the Hart Theater here will adopt a summer stock policy, a first-class stock company to open in about two weeks. The Hart Brothers are now operating a stock theater In Toledo,